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Abstract
The ambiguous-cue task is composed of two-choice simultaneous discriminations involving three stimuli: positive (P), ambiguous (A), and negative (N). Two different trial types are presented: PA and NA. The ambiguous cue (A) served as an S- in PA trials, but as an S+ in NA trials. When using this procedure, it is typical to observe a less accurate performance in PA trials than in NA trials. This is called the ambiguous-cue effect. Recently, it was reported in starlings that the ambiguous-cue effect decreases when the stimuli are presented on an angled (120°) panel. The hypothesis is that the angled panel facilitates that the two cues from each discrimination are perceived as a compound, precluding value transfer via a second-order conditioning mechanism. In this experiment, we used pigeons and a flat panel. Nevertheless, our data were quite similar to the previous data in starlings. We conclude that the form of the panel cannot explain the ambiguous-cue effect. Several alternatives to be explored in future experiments are suggested. The riddle of the ambiguous-cue problem still remains unsolved.
Highlights
The ambiguous-cue problem is a well-documented phenomenon in literature and is relatively simple
In the event that we find similar results to those reported in Vasconcelos and Monteiro (2014), even when we might not be able to state that their hypothesis is false — because the stimuli could still be perceived as a compound in spite of a flat panel— at least we could conclude that an angled panel would not be necessary
The aim of the present experiment was to assess whether the differences between the results of Urcuioli and Michalek (2007) and Vasconcelos and Monteiro (2014) were due to the fact that they used different species, or because the 120◦ angled panel used in Vasconcelos and Monteiro (2014) induced the perception of compound stimuli, precluding value transfer from occurring
Summary
The ambiguous-cue problem is a well-documented phenomenon in literature and is relatively simple. It is typically observed in two simultaneous binary discriminations employing three stimuli. The result is a less accurate discriminative performance in PA-type trials than in NA-type trials This phenomenon has been documented in children, humans with mental retardation (Fletcher et al, 1968) and in other species such as chimpanzees (Thompson, 1954; Fletcher and Garske, 1972), pigeons (Richards, 1973; Richards and Marcattilio, 1975; Hall, 1980; Urcuioli and Michalek, 2007) and, more recently, starlings (Vasconcelos and Monteiro, 2014)
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